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Hotly debated amendments to Alabama practice act voted down by state veterinary board

The Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (ASBVME) voted down its proposed rule changes to the Alabama Veterinary Practice Act after a public administrative rule making hearing Wednesday in Montgomery, Ala.

The rules would have prohibited any nonveterinarian from providing veterinary material or equipment as may be necessary for the management of a veterinary facility or to retain ownership or control of veterinary equipment, material or office and make the same available in any manner for the use of a veterinarian, veterinary technician or other agent. Many believed the amendments would have shut down the state’s four nonprofit spay-neuter clinics.

The board heard 18 speakers at the hearing—all in support of the nonprofit spay-neuter clinics. “We are so thankful the board listened to the concerns of the citizens of Alabama and voted in accordance with the people's wishes,” says Margaret Ferrell, DVM, Alabama Spay/Neuter Clinic veterinarian and medical director. “We look forward to working with the board and any other private practitioners in order to dispel any other myths or concerns veterinarians may still have regarding the nonprofit clinics in our state.“